Rosh Hashanah Food Customs & Menus

The origin of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is Biblical (Lev. 23:23-25): "a sacred occasion commemorated with loud blasts (of the Shofar, the ram's horn)." In Talmudic times, Rosh Hashanah became a celebration of the anniversary of the world's creation and a day of self-examination, repentance and judgment.

How is Rosh Hashanah celebrated?

Rosh Hashanah, a two day holiday, is both a solemn and happy occassion.

Jews are solemn in their repentance, but happy in their confidence that God is merciful and good. On Rosh Hashanah, Jews listen to the Shofar (ram's horn) blown during lengthy prayer services, eat holiday meals, and refrain from work. After repenting for bad deeds through prayers, they symbolically cast off sins through the Tashlich ceremony.

What are Rosh Hashanah food customs?

After the Rosh Hashanah prayer service, Jews eat a festive holiday meal. Special Rosh Hashanah food customs have developed over the centuries. On the first day of Rosh Hashanah, a piece of apple is dipped into honey in the hopes of a sweet year. On the second day of Rosh Hashanah, Jews eat a new fruit not yet eaten in the season so a special blessing (Shehechiyanu) can be recited. Various symbolic foods - such as dates, pomegranates, pumpkin, leeks, beets - are traditionally eaten on the holiday.

These menus tend to be creative and healthy, while maintaining touch with Jewish New Year food traditions. Enjoy these modern Israeli ideas for Rosh Hashanah holiday dinner and lunch menus and recipes.